1. You Need a Tourist Visa or ESTA to Enter the USA
Incoming travelers need to be aware of and understand the requirements to enter the USA.As of today, the US Visa Waiver Program, also known as Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), allows citizens of these 39 countries to enter the US for up to 90 days without a visa.
2. Check Your Passport's Validity
To enter the USA, your passport must have at least six months of validity left at the time of travel. This means, if your passport expires in less than six months, you will not be allowed to travel to the US.
3. Understand the US' Tipping Culture
In the United States, you're expected to tip all forms of services, like cab drivers, deliveries, valet, porters, room service, and most notably, waiters and bartenders. (Most of them earn under the federal minimum wage, which is already way too low!) The typical tipping practice is between 15% to 20%.
4. The United States is Much Bigger than You Think
As the third-largest country in the world, with an area of 9.83 million square kilometers (including territories), the US has a wide variety of landscapes and a rich, diverse culture that almost feels like each of the 50 states is practically a country by itself.
5. Don't Miss Visiting at Least One National Park
Even though the United States is well known for its buzzing cities, the country also offers a healthy balance of nature and outstanding landscapes with its National Parks.
6. Plan Your USA Itinerary Accordingly
As already mentioned, the USA is enormous, so you should plan your trip accordingly. How much time do you have available? A few days, weeks, months?
7. Consider Doing a Road Trip or Overland Adventure
Many cities in the USA are far from each other, but in between, there are a lot of stunning places and quirky roadside attractions you can explore and enjoy. This is one of the reasons why road trips or overland trips are so popular in the US. You can travel between cities and rural areas using bus operators like Greyhound and Megabus, or by taking the Amtrak- the national train operator.
8. Book Your Domestic Flights Separate From Your International Flights
If you're short on time and would like to travel between distant cities, flying will be your best option. What I recommend, though, is to buy your domestic flights separate from your international flights. Often, airlines and flight aggregators add a premium to domestic flights when purchased together with the international leg. On the other hand, if you book them separately, you'll have more options across all airline alliances.
9. Expect to Pay More Than What's Displayed
Contrary to most countries, the prices displayed at the supermarket, store, restaurant, hotels, and any other business does not include the sales tax. Every state has its own state sales tax, and they vary from 7% to 11.5% or so.
10. Do NOT Travel Without Travel Insurance
I'm sure you've read horror stories about the inefficient and expensive medical system in the US. Well, they are all true.I'm sure you won't want to go back home and receive a $1200 bill just for getting ibuprofen prescribed by a doctor. This sounds exaggerated, but it is't far from the truth here.Having a travel insurance with medical coverage is essential for any trip, but even more so in the US.
11. Don't Forget to Visit the Islands!
Both Hawaii and Puerto Rico have several islands that are stunning and make you feel like you're in a different country, worlds apart from the typical US image.Coming from Puerto Rico, and having grown up there, I can attest to that - as a local!
12. Always Carry Cash with You
As advanced as the US likes to say it is, it is still pretty far behind many European and South American countries when it comes to digital payment options.The US is always playing catch up, so even to this day, don't be surprised if many rural businesses only accept cash.
